Stone box



P. R. PARKER STONE BOX Dec. 7, 1937.

Filed July 23, 1956 2. Sheets--Shee` l INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS' Dec. 7, 1937.

P. R. PARKER STONE BOX Filed July 23, 193e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

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Patented Dec. 7, 1937 y l UNITED s'rATss PATENT QFFiCE STONE BOX Paul R.Parker, Brooklyn,

N. Y., assigner to Bucyrus-Erie Company, South Milwaukee, Wis., acorporation of Delaware Application July 23, 1936, Serial No. 92,059

3 Claims.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in stone boxes forthe pipe line of hydraulic dredges.

In the course of operating an hydraulic dredge, large stones arefrequently sucked linto the pipe line, these stones being of such a sizethat it is impossible for them to pass through the hydraulic suctionpump. Accordingly in the past one sectionof the pipe line, known as thestone-box, has usually been provided with a lid along the top surfacethereof, which lid can be unscrewed or unbolted for the purpose offishing out any large stones which may collect 'therein on the way tothe pump.

But the unscrewing or unbolting of such a lid has always been a long andtedious performance, and the removal of the stones by lifting them upthrough the lid hole has been Vdifficult and dangerous.

Accordingly it has been proposed Vto provide a second lid, or substitutelid, alcngthe bottom surface of the pipe, but this expedient would beattended wth even more difficulty and danger, due to the pressure 'ofthe stones on this lower lid during unscrewing or unbolting.

Accordingly I propose a pair of doors, one on each side of the stoneboX. I propose that these doors should be ofsubstantially the height ofthe cross section of the pipe, in order that stones large enough toenter the pipe may pass out through the doors. With both doors opened,the stones can be rammed through one, to pass out through the other.

To support the weight of these doors, I hinge them to my box, and inorder to enable them to completely clear the door-openings I provide adouble hinge.

I also provide unitary clamping means for the two doors, and hinge thisclamping means to my boX, in order to facilitate its movement and keepit from being lost.

In addition to my principal objects, above stated, I have worked out anumber of novel and useful details which will be readily evident as thedescription progresses.

My invention consists in the novel parts, and in the combination andarrangement thereof which are defined in the appended claims, and ofwhich one embodiment is exemplified in the accompanying drawings, whichare hereinafter particularly described and explained.

Throughout the description, the same reference number is applied to thesame member or to similar members. Y

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the stone-box of my invention, showingboth doors closed and the clamping in place. This view is takenl alongthe lines I-I of Figure 3.

Figure 2 is the same vertical elevation, showing the clamp unscrewed andswung clear, the lefthand door still closed,an-d the right-hand doorswung open. This View is taken along the lines i-2 of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a plan View of my stone-box, with the doors closed and theclamp in place. It alsoshows parts of two adjoining pipe sections.

Referring to the figures, we see that II and I2 are two pipe sectionssecured to stone-box I3 by flanges I by means' of bolts I5. Y

Throughout part of the length of the stone-box I3 the sides of itscylindrical contour are cut away leaving merely upper and lowerreinforced portions I6. Into the cut away portions are inserted doorsIl, the junctures with the portions IB being provided with water-tightpacking I3.

To projections I9 on each door is pinned hinge piece ZEE. This in turnis pinned to hinge piece 2 I, which in turn is pinned to projections 22on the stone box I3.

Hinged to lugs 23 on the top of reinforced portion I6 of stone-box I3 isa clamp 24 having screws manipulated by hand wheels 2B. These screwsbear on bosses 21 on doors I'I.

When it is desired to remove stones, the screws 25 are unscrewed by handWheels 26. The clamp 24 is then swung up out of the way as shown inFigure 2, and the doors are swung open as shownl with respect to theright-hand door in Figure 2.

Having now described and illustrated one form of my invention, I wishuitto be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specificform or arrangement of parts hereinbefore described,A except in so faras such limitations: are specified in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a stone-box for the pipe line of a hydraulic dredge, thecombination of: a section of cylindrical pipe; on each side thereof adoor of substantially the height of the pipe, hinged to the pipe, andswingable away so as to completely clear the door-opening; and unitaryclamping means for the two-doors.

2. In a stone-box for the pipe line of a hy-V draulic dredge, thecombination of: a section of cylindrical pipe; on each side thereof adoor of substantially the height of the pipe, hinged to the pipe, andswingable away so as to completely clear the door-opening; and unitaryclamping means for the two doors, hinged to the pipe, and swingable awayso as to completely clear the doors.

3. In astone-box for the pipe line vof a hydraulic dredge, thecombination of: a section'of cylindrical pipe; on each side thereof adoor of substantially the heightV of the pipe, multiply .Y

hinged to the pipe, and swingable away so as to completely clear the`door-opening; and unitary clamping means for the two doors, hinged tothe pipe, and swingable away so as to completely clear the doors.

PAUL R. PARKER'.l

